L.A. Wolves Host First Round of U.S. Open Cup
With the 2017 U.S. Open Cup First Round matches announced, L.A. Wolves FC prepare for another run representing the UPSL as they draw San Diego Zest of the PDL. L.A. Wolves FC began play in the UPSL in 2014 and advanced to the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup last season.
Soccer News: American soccer is great – with phenomenal opportunities for soccer teams to compete and excel.
Capturing the American spirit and dating back a century, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is our country’s oldest annual tournament for team sports – and it is really an open cup where amateur teams can take on the top MLS clubs.
While the winners of this prestigious men’s soccer tournament have come from 17 different states, the competition is open to teams from all across the country and it is the only tournament where teams from lower leagues — such as the UPSL — can match their talents against the powers of an MLS team.
While FC Dallas may have lifted the trophy last year, who knows who will win in 2017.
With the first round of 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches scheduled in the coming weeks, United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) powerhouse L.A. Wolves are gearing up for another deep run in the national competition.
The Wolves will be looking to take their mission one step further after falling to UPSL side La Máquina FC in the Third Round of the 2016 tournament.
The Wolves are led by head coach Eric Wynalda who a former U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team star player and a familiar face on Fox Sports where he is studio analyst for soccer programming.
The National Soccer Hall of Fame member, Wynalda was the all-time leading goal scorer until 2008 when his record was broken by Landon Donovan
One of very few players to represent the United States in three FIFA World Cups — 1990, 1994 and 1998 squads — Wynalda also competed in the Copa America in 1995 and 1998 and also played in the Bundesliga at the height of his career.
“I love the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup because it represents a very American concept- opportunity,” says Wynalda.
Wynalda has his team training for participating in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and looks forward to the competition — be believes he has real talent on his team.
“In the UPSL, it’s really interesting because it’s clear that there are some extremely talented players who are either not fit enough or they don’t have other players thinking at their high level in the plays that matter — but, that doesn’t mean they aren’t talented,” says Wynalda.
“You can fix fitness – and you can find talent. Resources and circumstances seem to be the constant hurdle that never goes away.”
To prepare for the Lamar Hunt opportunity, the players are playing as often as possible. “The team is training three times a week and playing in 1 to 2 matches every week. Nothing takes the place of on field experience,” says LA Wolves President and General Manager Yan Skwara. Skwara also serves as UPSL Commissioner.
“People complain about professionalism, but I think those things come with being exposed to the right environment,” says Wynalda.
“You need patience but you also need to possess real knowledge to be a manager at this level.”
“Preaching about ‘working hard’ is not effective because they guys already understand what hard work is and that’s not why they are still here, they are still here because the love to play,” says Wynalda.
The Wolves are currently 6-1 on the season with a goal differential of +24 that leads the Western Conference. Cruising to the First Round of the U.S. Open Cup, L.A. recorded a 4-1 win over the Real Sociedad Royals during the opening qualifying round. A 9-2 victory over Inland Empire FC (UPSL) booked the club’s ticket to the U.S. Open Cup with eyes now on the official opening round of the annual tournament.
The Wolves will face off against San Diego Zest FC of the Premier Development League (PDL) on Wednesday, May 10th, at 7:30 p.m. PT at Bell Gardens John Anson Ford Park.
For a full list of Open Cup Champions – please visit U.S. Soccer
Photo Credit: Joe Walsh
